July 2006

A state record bowfin was caught by Matt Stender of Barboursville, according to Frank Jezioro, Director of the Division of Natural Resources. Stender caught the 28.43-inch, 9-pound, 4-ounce fish from the backwater areas of the Ohio at Green Bottom Wildlife Management Area in Cabell County on July 5, 2006 using fresh shad for bait. Stender’s catch establishes a new West Virginia record for weight. The previous weight record for bowfin was a 7.66-pound fish caught by Carl A. Jaegar, III from a pond in Berkeley County. The previous length record of 32.25 inches caught by Donald E. Newcomb, III still stands as the West Virginia bowfin length record.

“The backwater areas of the Ohio at Green Bottom, major embayments, and major tributaries of the Ohio are all good spots to try for bowfin during the late spring and summer,” according to Jeff Hansbarger, Assistant District Fisheries Biologist.

Anglers who believe that they have caught a state record fish should check the record listing in the 2006 Fishing Regulations brochure. The brochure also outlines the procedure to follow for reporting their catch. This information is also available online at www.wvdnr.gov.

Check out the other West Virginia Fishing Records